Princess Charlotte gets a present from mum Kate Middleton after her royal visit to Sunderland

Princess Charlotte may be back at nursery this week after enjoying a week off for half term with her parents, but Kate Middleton still had her daughter in mind when she returned to work on official royal duties.

Yesterday, William and Kate were in Sunderland on an official engagement to celebrate the city’s blossoming art and culture scene.

The visit started by officially opening The Fire Station which has been converted into a music and arts hub for the whole community to enjoy.

Kate and Wills enjoyed a show as local children and young people gave music, dance and theatre performances in the new centre.

The @FireStationSun is one of Sunderland’s most iconic buildings, which was recently converted into a music and arts hub.

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18-year-old Shajida Begum asked the Duchess if she would like a design and she replied: ‘Yes, if you don’t mind.’

The Duchess was treated to a simple floral design

Speaking to The Sun, Shajida said: ‘[The Duchess] was saying it was really pretty. I was just telling her how it works. I was telling her when she can wash it off – when it becomes flakey.’

The Duchess also requested a pack of bindis to take home for her daughter Princess Charlotte. Bindis are worn at the centre of the forehead by Hindu and Jain women. It is commonly used to show a woman is married and is considered the ‘third eye’ in the Hindu religion. It is thought wearing the bindi can also ward off bad luck.

Following their trip to The Fire Station, the royal couple went on to meet the engineers working on the new Northern Spire Bridge over the River Wear. The bridge is set to open in spring this year.

The Duchess, who is now seven months pregnant, swapped out of her court heels and into a hard hat and boots for the meet and greet.